For a time, every day felt uncertain for Saipan mom Dasery Babauta.
After a complicated pregnancy, her youngest daughter, Remi Rose, arrived early and faced serious medical challenges. When Remi later needed specialized care at Rady Children’s Hospital, Dasery, her husband Jesse and older daughter Rylee traveled from Saipan to San Diego, unsure of what the coming months would bring.
“It was a roller coaster. It was my first time traveling, and also with a medical-needs child.”
What brought relief amid the uncertainty was learning that the family would have a place to stay at Ronald McDonald House San Diego. Instead of a hotel, Dasery found a “home away from home” where her family could stay close to Remi and her medical team.
“When I first arrived, I was scared. I didn’t go anywhere for the first month. It was a culture shock for me.”
Little by little, the House began to feel less unfamiliar and more like a community.
More Than a Place to Stay
For months, life revolved around appointments, feeding schedules, and caring for Remi. Having a place to stay close to the hospital eased both financial and emotional stress.
When asked what would have been hardest without the House, Dasery’s answer was simple: “Everything.”
She found comfort in the House community, whether it was sharing meals in the family kitchen or connecting with other parents facing similar challenges.
“Cooking together was fun. It relieves stress being together with others.”
Making Sure Rylee Could Still Be a Kid
As much as Dasery worried about Remi, she worried about her older daughter, six-year-old Rylee.
The family had always made time for special activities together, and once they arrived in San Diego, Dasery worked hard to keep that tradition alive. Every weekend, they tried to plan something focused on Rylee so she wouldn’t feel left out while so much attention was centered on Remi’s care.
“I felt like I was taking Rylee’s life away. She just wanted to play.”
At Ronald McDonald House San Diego, Rylee found opportunities to do exactly that. She attended school at the House and participated in activities designed for siblings, giving her space to learn, play, and connect with other children.
“Having activities and helping siblings fit in is so helpful,” Dasery said.
Seeing Rylee thrive at the House eased one of Dasery’s biggest worries and helped her focus on Remi’s care.
Looking Ahead with Hope
Today, the family’s outlook is much brighter. Remi is breathing on room air, making tremendous progress, and has been cleared to return home to Saipan.
“Looking at Remi’s progress has been the blessing of my life,” Dasery said.
As they prepare for their next chapter, she remains grateful for the support that surrounded them during some of their hardest days.
“I am so grateful that we had the opportunity to be at Rady’s and be at the House. “If we didn’t have that, I don’t think Remi would be here today.”
For this family, Ronald McDonald House San Diego made it possible to focus less on where they would stay and more on what mattered most: being together.